One of my
least favorite repairs to do is changing the diverter on the kitchen faucet.
We have a Price Pfister kitchen faucet set, which is guaranteed for life.
That means when something breaks they will send you free parts, that's
great but then I have to install them. Price Pfister is a well-known
brand but that's all I will say about that.
Now I
have changed the diverter (see photo insert) on this faucet at least 4 times since we install it.
You would think I could remember the removal and installation quirks
after that many repairs. Well, I do for a while but it’s such a
frustrating experience that my mind keeps trying to erase these bad memories.
I retain these memories for a long while but eventually they are erased
and that's the exact moment the diverter goes bad.
Of course
there's always a YouTube video to help you through the removal and installation
process but they always have the faucet on their workbench while they videotape
the process. The video shows how easy it is and you actually see how the
work needs to be done but it's being done on a work bench, I call foul. I want to see the video with
the guy resting his lower back on the ridge of the cabinet bashing his head on
the top of the cabinet as he tries to snake himself in to the cavernous opening
under the sink then cussing and screaming at the faucet because his back and
head are hurting and the hoses won't come off the faucet. Yea, that’s the
video I want to see.
Now I have learned a few things over the past repairs and that is
to get the boat cushion out of the garage and throw it on the floor to support
my back, plus you need a small flashlight that you can hold with your teeth so
you can see the diverter. Prior background as a circus performer would
help as well, maybe a contortionist that would be ideal.
The most useful thing I learned from the YouTube video was which
way to push the locking device on the hoses. This helps but
being small (5' 6") it's hard to reach up between the two sinks with Cee
Lo Green arms. After finding the appropriate curse words I am finally
successful at remove the diverter from the faucet. Having done this
before I did remember to turn off the water and I also knew there would be
residual water coming from the faucet when I pulled the diverter off, I just
didn't think it would flow out like a fire hose. At this point I
immediately grab for a towel (in the back of my mind I hear my wife saying
don't use the good towel) but at this point I'm in recovery mode so anything
will due. So my advice is don't hang your cashmere sweater anywhere near
the towel rack when I'm working on the faucet. After sopping up the
residual water I proceed to remove the hoses, ideally this would work best if
you had 3 hands (reference circus oddities). After twisting and tugging
to my surprise the first hose releases, Ah Victory!
After removing the first hose I find the second hose easier to
remove but I’m just as surprised as the first when it releases.
Now it must be time for a beer to
celebrate this amazing achievement, Oh Yeah, I need to put it back together;
wait just let me enjoy this moment for a minute. Maybe I should buy a
Miners helmet?
No comments:
Post a Comment